Parents
dream of creating a life for their child full of happiness, activity and
enrichment. TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program
for Soccer) was designed with this in mind, and is customized to help parents
of children with special needs.

TOPSoccer is a community based training and team
placement program for young athletes with disabilities. The program is
designed to bring the opportunity of learning and playing soccer to any boy or
girl who has a mental or physical disability. The New Jersey Youth Soccer
/ US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer program provides assistance to affiliated
organizations with ways to enable players with mental or physical disabilities
to play soccer. The emphasis of this program is on development, training,
and meaningful participation rather than on competition. Our goal is to
enable the thousands of young athletes with disabilities to develop their
physical fitness, technical skills, courage, and self-esteem, through the joy
and excitement of playing soccer. There are thousands of children with
disabilities who need, and can be provided the opportunity to play soccer
through TOPSoccer. That opportunity exists for these athletes to achieve,
develop and participate according to their individual abilities.

·“TOPS In A Box”
(a “how to” resource for existing or developing programs)

·Our Resource
Center (database of potential volunteer buddies)

·NJYS Area
Coordinators (volunteers)

3.Invitation to special
TOPSoccer Events:

·TOPSoccer Night
at Red Bull Arena

·TOPSoccer Night
at Sky Blue FC

·Regional NJYS
Jamborees

4.TOPSoccer
coaching and buddy courses scheduled locally

5.Potential funding
and resources

A successful TOPSOCCER program
has the following:

·Placement of players by ability
not age

·Highlight players' ability rather
than their disability

·Make players have a meaningful experience

·Make players achieve desired
goals without assistance

·and FUN! FUN! FUN!

Come be a part of our dream. The
dream where every child who wants to play can play at his/her own level
with players of similar abilities. You can make dreams come true!!! Contact
the New Jersey Youth Soccer TOPSoccer chairperson to learn how you can
make a difference.

Additional information can be
obtained by visiting the US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer site
where you can find informative resources such as Parent's Guide and Grant
application to start a program in your league.

For more information please contact
your local NJYS TOPSoccer Area Coordinator:

TOPSoccer programs are entirely dependent upon the power provided by volunteers. Volunteering brings more awareness and understanding to the special needs community. You can even receive community service hours by helping out a TOPSoccer program. Beyond the service hours, TOPSoccer is an opportunity to give your best by making a difference. Contact New Jersey Youth Soccer and take the first step towards becoming a volunteer. Buddies need to be at least 14 years of age to receive a certificate of training. Coaches need to be at least 16 years of age.

“Why
do we need TOPSoccer? So that every kid can know the rewards of playing on a
team, of trying to score – of being in the game! It brings a sense of
accomplishment and sheer joy to kids who otherwise would have to sit on the
sidelines. Parents can’t praise it enough, the siblings enjoy helping and
cheering, the kids’ laughter and enthusiasm are infectious – In this program,
everyone comes away a winner.” - Julie Foudy, US Women’s National Team
Olympic Gold and Silver Medallist, World Cup Soccer Champion

“My daughter was diagnosed with autism shortly before her 3rdbirthday. One of the things that
hit us the hardest were all the "things" they told us she would never
do. Never be independent, never drive a car, never get married, never have
children…Pretty heavy stuff to hear about your baby girl. She has made
great strides. She can dress, bath and prepare her own food. She loves to surf
the net, send text messages, and tell funny jokes. She has also been a
TOPSoccer player for the last 5 years. This team has given J the chance to be a
regular kid…To put on a jersey, cleats, and shin guards, run, laugh, and cheer
her teammates. TOPSoccer has helped teach her high school mentors that
she is just a a regular kid who happens to have autism. I am making a list of all the things she CAN do. It is
much bigger than what she can't.”

Our son, Benjamin, has been playing in a
TOPSoccer program since May 2009 when he was 6 years old. He has never
missed a season, and so looks forward to training with the friendly mentors.
He feels so comfortable on the field with everyone and has developed some
good coordination skills over the years. Benjamin also always has a big
smile on his face when he plays at TOPSoccer...a priceless by-product!

Our family loves the TOPSoccer community and the
genuine interest that the organizers, coaches and mentors take in our children.
We are blessed to have this organization and its representatives in our
neighborhood. For our daughter, TOPSoccer shows how busy young volunteers can
make time to show children with special needs the love of soccer. She has
become a better person for this. For our son, it shows him that he is
part of a team and community that cares.